Optus has a number you can text to see if your phone will work after the 3G shutdown

Following Telstra's lead, Optus customers can now check if their devices will continue to work after the 3G shutdown via a text line. Customers can text "3" to 3498, which will instantly send a response about the device status. Notably, those are the exact same steps Telstra customers can take.

Customers will be told if their device is compatible or not. The checker will warn customers if their device is 3G-only, 4G but unable to make calls over VoLTE, or 4G but relies on 3G to make Triple Zero emergency calls.

Customers on Optus-powered providers such as amaysim, Moose Mobile, Circles.Life, and SpinTel can also check their device compatibility by texting 3498.

Optus plans to shut down its 3G network in September. Telstra was originally going to close its 3G network at the end of June, but pushed the date back to August 31.

Optus says it's also reaching out to customers that it believes will be impacted by the 3G shutdown. This could be via email, letter, or SMS.

For customers looking to upgrade to a new device and new mobile plan, Optus is currently selling Samsung's Galaxy A15 5G for $1 per month. This means prices start from $50.50 per month on a 24-month term. Opting for a 36-month repayment won't decrease the price further, so there's no point making a longer-than-necessary commitment.

Here are Optus's Galaxy A15 5G plans:

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Small Promo Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $53.52/mth Min. cost $387.48 Go to Site	$53.52/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $387.48	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $83.52/mth Min. cost $417.48 Go to Site	$83.52/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $417.48	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments $84.52/mth Min. cost $418.48 Go to Site	$84.52/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $418.48	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments SubHub: Get up to $20/month credit to spend on subscriptions of your choice with Optus SubHub. Terms apply. $104.52/mth Min. cost $438.48 Go to Site	$104.52/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $438.48	Go to Site

Of course, there are other options like buying a new phone outright to avoid being locked into a repayment term. Depending on your current monthly bill, this could be a cheaper option.

Looking for a new mobile plan?

These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#4	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 60GB data on first 6 recharges, then 30GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small - 365 Day Flex Plan 220GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 220GB data for only $149 (incl. $30.90 off + 80GB bonus data) on the Small 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 18.10.26 $149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#7	Dodo	Dodo Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#8	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#9	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 240GB Long Expiry 240GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Get 240GB for $199 (includes $121 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 31.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply. $199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 5G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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